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never the twain shall meet

idiom

Definition of never the twain shall meet

—used to say that two things, places, etc., are very different and can never be brought together or made similar
  • As far as he's concerned, work is work, family life is family life, and never the twain shall meet.

Word by Word Definitions

never play

  1. : not ever : at no time

  2. : not in any degree : not under any condition

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twain play

  1. : two

  2. : couple, pair

  1. : two

  1. : two

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shall play

  1. : will have to : must

  2. : will be able to : can

  3. used to express a command or exhortation

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meet play

  1. : to come into the presence of : find

  2. : to come together with especially at a particular time or place

  3. : to come into contact or conjunction with : join

  1. : the act of assembling for a hunt or for competitive sports

  2. : a competition in which individuals match skills

  1. : precisely adapted to a particular situation, need, or circumstance : very proper

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